The driver idle at the curb of my building. Connor breaks the silence. “Look, I’ve got to go, but let me know where you’re going, and if you need another pep talk, I’m just a phone call away.”

“This was a pep talk?”

“Yes and you’re welcome. Gotta go. Love you, sis.”

“Love you, too.”

Even though he’s more annoying than not, I still love him with all my heart. All jokes aside, he’s serious when he needs to be and can always make me smile even when I’d rather not.

Hours later, I find myself standing in the mirror, not really remembering how I was able to get ready, but somehow I did. There’s no evidence that I’m nervous; it’s shocking how I’m able to mask my emotions so well and show the world what I want them to see. I want to pretend like this isn’t a big deal, even if I’m freaking out inside.

The woman staring back at me is beautiful. There’s a fire in her violet eyes. Her long brown hair cascades down her back in curls, and she’s wearing a simple creme top, paired with designer black skinny jeans, and red booties. She seems perfect, she’s me, but I’m anything but perfect. Is this how Kohen is going to view me? Perfect, my life in order, happy? Do I want him to see the real me?

No, I don’t. I’m nowhere near ready for that and I doubt I’ll ever be. This is a first date, a date to see if it gets under Jax’s skin, nothing more. I don’t see how Kohen and I will have anything in common. He’s older, put together, and smart. The more I think about it, the more intimidated I feel.

Maybe it’s not too late to cancel.

Chapter Six

I pick up my phone to cancel for the hundredth time tonight. I even get as far as pulling up our text thread before locking it. Each and every time I do this, I remember how alive I felt being behind the camera lens. That’s the only reason why I don’t go through with any of the excuses I keep making. If I’m able to do that, then I can go on a date with a decent guy. Hopefully Connor can help with the nerves.

Me: I’m going to throw up

Connor: Don’t be dramatic. YOU ARE GOING so don’t even try to back down

I’m about to reply when there’s a knock on the door. My whole body stiffens.

Me: Crap he’s here. What do I do?

Connor: Just a guess but I would say . . . open the door.

Connor: Breathe. Relax. Have fun. In that order.

Doing as Connor says, I take several deep breaths and will myself to relax. After another minute of trying to calm down and failing, I trudge to the door. My fake persona is firmly in place as I swing it open.

Kohen holds the most exquisite bouquet of ranunculus I’ve ever seen. Not knowing what to do, I stare at him, wondering not for the first time why a guy like him could possibly want to go out with me.

Kohen clears his throat and extends the flowers. “These are for you.”

Nervously, I take them. “Thanks, they’re beautiful. They’re actually one of my favorite flowers. I like quite a few kinds.” I force my mouth shut to keep from rambling.

I wave Kohen inside so that I can get a vase for them. He follows silently behind me into the kitchen and watches my every movement.

“I know,” he says once I’m finished arranging the flowers.

“Huh?” I ask, confused.

“I knew they were your favorite flowers,” he says with an easy smile.

“Should I be worried that I have a stalker?” I ask with a laugh. I’m slightly serious.

“Ha hardly. You just seem like a ranunculus type of girl.” He shrugs. “Lucky guess.”

He moves to stand in front of me. “You look beautiful, Adalynn. I don’t think that I could ever get bored looking at you.” Without warning, he gives me a lingering kiss on the cheek.

The elevator ride down is filled with awkward silence. I can’t stop myself from stealing glances at Kohen. I chew my lip, a nervous habit of mine. This is the first time I’m alone with a man besides one of the guys in six years. Okay, not exactly if I count the gym incident. Why did I agree to this date in the first place? Oh that’s right, because I’m a child and want to make Jax jealous instead of acting like an adult and confronting him. So now I’m on a date with someone that I don’t really have any interest in. Points to my stupidity.

The elevator doors slide open, distracting me from telling him I can’t do this. He rests his hand on my lower back while he leads me out of the elevator and into the parking garage. He steers me towards his BMW. Like a true gentlemen, he holds his door open for me.

I wait for him to speak, but when he doesn’t I snag his iPhone. “May I?” Before he has a chance to answer, I start going through his music. I can always tell a lot about a person by their music choices.

Kohen is a good sport. “Sure . . . oh and I hope you like pizza, I know this amazing place called Frank’s, it’s to—”

“Die for,” I finish for him.

“You’ve been there?”

I place my hand over my heart. “I LOVE Frank’s. I have to have at least a dose of the yummy goodness once a month.”

Kohen shows his dimples. “I’m glad I can help.”

“You’re two for two.” I can see that he’s about to ask what I’m talking about so I elaborate. “With my favorites. Two for two.”

Kohen chuckles, but it seems a little strained. “The first one was a lucky guess on my part.”

“And this one?”

He surprises me by clasping my hand. “We both have excellent taste.” The way he says it makes me think he isn’t talking just about our pizza preferences.

I pick a Journey song before I reach for my phone with my free hand and text Connor. My fingers hover over the keys. I want to defy him and prove that he doesn’t need to know where I’m going. I can protect myself. Besides, Kohen doesn’t seem like the serial killer type. I give in only because if I don’t tell Connor where we’re going, he will tell my brother, and I do not need Logan finding out about this, only Jax.

Me: Eating pizza.

Connor: Where?

Me: At the only place that I eat pizza.

Without waiting for a reply, I slide my phone back into my clutch. The rest of the short drive, we listen to music. I’m surprised that Kohen’s music is an almost identical copy of my iTunes.

“We have a lot in common,” I tell him as he opens my door.

“Oh?”

“Well, besides both of our excellent choices in pizza parlors, we like the same music . . . give or take a few bands.”

“Really?” he asks.

“I know, I was shocked too. I thought I was going to have to give you a lesson in music.”

Kohen laughs. “Do that a lot?”

I’m not even surprised when the hostess addresses both of us by our first names. It’s obvious that Kohen is as much as a regular as I am. I search my memory, but I come up with a blank. I don’t remember seeing him here.

“I did, but now my brother and his friends have graduated from my class so I don’t need to give them lessons anymore,” I say once we sit down.

“I’m guessing they just added a playlist for you on their phones.”

I bite my lip to keep from grinning but fail. “Of course.”

We both laugh. I’m pleasantly surprised how easily conversation flows between us. I’m glad that the first date I decided to go on in six years is with Kohen. I think if I went out with anyone else, it would have been beyond awkward. It helps that we have a lot in common, but I doubt it would really matter since Kohen is so easy to talk to.

I’m working on my second slice of pizza when for some reason my skin breaks out in goosebumps. My eyes find their way to the door. I gasp loudly when I see who walks in.

Logan, followed by Connor, and lastly Jax.

I’m somehow able to swallow the bite I just took without choking to death. I glare at the guys as they approach our table. Terrific. Kohen pauses mid-sentences when he realizes we have company.